1,000 killed by Kadhafi forces in Misrata in 6 weeks

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Some 1,000 people have been killed and 3,000 injured in Libya's third city Misrata since Muamer Gaddafi's forces began attacking it with shells and sniper fire six weeks ago, a senior medic said.

"Some 80 per cent of the deaths are civilians," said Dr Khaled Abu Falgha, administrator of the city's main hospital.

Medical staff have seen a sudden rise in the number of people brought into the hospital in the last week suffering gunshot wounds to their heads and necks - the preferred target zone of marksmen.

Another six beds in the intensive care unit are occupied by men brought down by snipers posted around the city by forces loyal to Gaddafi.

Falgha said the 60 beds in his facility were all being used and those with lesser injuries were being sent home after initial treatment.

The last week has also seen worsened injuries from cluster bombs, requiring many amputations, Abu Falgha said. He showed examples of the weapons kept in his office.

Cluster bombs, which spray deadly bomblets indiscriminantly over a large area, are banned by most countries.